42179 Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit

[hawran]

I don't want to look like a nitpicker, it's generally impressive model, but should the Earth be tilted towards the Sun on June/July, while tilted from the Sun on December? It's flipped in the instructions imho... what do you think?

[Stereo]

Northern hemisphere is pointed towards the sun the most on the solstice, June 20th or so, yes.

[Jazzlw]

On 5/9/2024 at 3:25 AM, hawran said:

I don't want to look like a nitpicker, it's generally impressive model, but should the Earth be tilted towards the Sun on June/July, while tilted from the Sun on December? It's flipped in the instructions imho... what do you think?

Notice that the month indicator is opposite the earth arm. 

[howitzer]

So I finally bought it. Here's some impressions:

It was a nice few hours build, nothing too challenging though. The print of the Earth domes was well enough aligned in my copy, though the print otherwise is a bit strange (desert in Borneo?). I decided to apply stickers which I don't normally do, but getting them properly placed was a bit difficult and I'm not entirely happy with the result. I love the complex mechanics of the set but I would've liked more aesthetic touches for it, the wheel-legs in particular look ugly. It's also a bit too lightweight, when turning the crank it tends to hop a bit unless held down but other than that it works well and is nice to look at when turning.

This was also my first encounter with the paper bags, and I like them except they're not transparent so one must be very careful so as not to leave any parts inside the bag. I flattened each thoroughly after emptying them and decided that I will keep them at hand until the build is complete in case some little part seems to be missing.

Oh and for my purchase the local retailer rewarded me with a pretty towel:

[R0Sch]

9 hours ago, howitzer said:

Oh and for my purchase the local retailer rewarded me with a pretty towel:

That towel looks cool, but it's a bit outdated since it's missing the LBG, Brown and Dark Purple Spaceman and the proper Green helmet exists now too.

Edited June 20, 2024 by R0Sch

[Lion King]

I just finished building this set this weekend. I have to say….I’m impressed by the functions it includes for all three objects (Earth, Moon, and Sun). Earth and Sun rotates while Moon doesn’t. However, I love that Earth and Moon can orbit Sun neatly.  

I don’t agree with people who think that exposed gears are “messy” or “ugly”. I feel that they are more  fun to watch gears move while turning the lever.  I don’t eed to cover those expsoed gears with something -  it’s really cool to see gears moving - both slowly and Gastly.  Also, those gears remind me of Astronomy Tower from Harry Potter movies - you know, there are some gears. 

I love that Northenr Hemisphere being tiled toward the sun while souther Hemisphere away from it (summer) and Southrern Hemisphere toward sun while Northern Hemisphere away (winter). It’s quite realistic and easy to explain to people. 

I could get it why Moon “never” rotates while orbiting Earth becuase we never saw the dark side of Moon.

This project is out fo the world (intended pun)! 

EDIT: I forgot to mention - I am a bit disappointed that stickers are included but Earth pieces are printed. I wonder if the moon phrase  should be printed… I  month labels are stickers becuase of different languages? 

Edited August 18, 2024 by Lion King

[Chilly]

Just finished building this set.

I had three attempts to get the earth/moon attached to the main module, and each time a gear fell out as I was fiddling!

Third time worked fine.  Until I discovered the earth is not tilting in the correct direction.  Looks like I need to disengage the gears from the turntable, rotate the centre part and re-engage the gears.  But.  I can't find a way to do this without removing the earth/moon module and starting again.

Does anyone have a solution to this? 

(Sorry if it's already been discussed, but I didn't find anything by searching.)